Cricket: 5 most dominant teams in the history of the game

The sensational debate over which team has been the most dominant in the history of Test cricket has captivated the attention of fans, pundits and professionals across the world for about a decade now. It remains one of those topics that bring forth firm opinions founded on passionate justifications, embellished with statistical grandeur.These are the teams that have scaled remarkable heights and maintained their class throughout a period of time. The quality of cricket they put on display proved to be unassailable as they championed over their respective contemporaries with ease and grace.Comparing the mind-boggling numbers led me to enlist five candidates for the best team ever to have brandished the willow and swung the cherry.

#5 South Africa (late 1965 - 1970)

Barry Richards

When Peter van de Merwe took over the reins from Trevor Goddard following a disastrous series against England in 1965, there was little hope for rejuvenation. What ensued signalled the beginning of a new era in South African cricket, before their hopes were crushed with the entire talent pool of the nation victimized by the government’s apartheid policy.

After winning the three-match series in England 1-0, South Africa returned home to defeat Australia 3-1 in a five-Test encounter. Two years later, led by the genius Ali Bacher, they handed Bill Lawry’s Australia a resounding 4-0 whitewash. In the 12 matches played during that period, South Africa won 8 and lost only a single one.

While the tenacious duo of Mike Procter and Peter Pollock strengthened Bacher’s bowling attack, the batting remained in safe hands – those of Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock, the latter being commended by none other than Bradman. Eddie Barlow’s all-rounder capabilities summed up the line-up that dictated cricketing world, albeit for a very brief period.